Comments Dave D has made

Cape windfarm

  Studies have been done on the flyway issue. They conclude the wind farm will cause avian mortality at extremely low rates. The rotation of the blades was reduced to help mitigate this hazard. One must measure avain mortality against the near annual oil spills occuring from the transport of fuel to nearby generating stations, which kill thousands of birds. The air pollution from these generating stations are impacting ecosystems, avain included, on an unimagineable level.
   This area was rich as a fisheries resource. As a boy, circa 1960, I remember an abundance of numbers and species of fish one does not see today. This area has been studied by many in the marine research community. A majority of these studies conclude very few species occupy or use this area except as incidental. A marine biologist once said "Any marine structure becomes habitat" and these wind generators would be no exception. Any reduction in fishing, especially dragging the bottom will be a clear benefit to the health of this ecosystem.
   As the debate rages one must remember these wind turbines use a single structure as a foundation and once jetted into place allow the natural flow of the bottom sands.
  Capewind should be required to post a bond covering the eventual removal of the towers. In the future the U.S. will have the technology to develop offshore generating facilities but we do not at this point.
   It is important to think of this project as a step on the way to energy independence. It is not permanent; it is not polluting; and once removed the shoal's shifting sands will cover any evidence it was ever there.
   We have a moral obligation to allow this facility because what we are really talking about is a short term loan of a much loved area for the future protection of many more just like it.
Dave DOn Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 10 months ago 57 Responses

Cape windfarm and RFK Jr.

        Robert Kennedy Jr. has done a disservice to the very interests he claims to protect. There is an important element missing in his commentary: that is, a disclosure. Mr. Kennedy and other members of the Kennedy family own property that overlooks this area. The arguments they use against this project are the same as those used by opponents to action on global warming, whom Mr. Kennedy vigorously opposes. This glaring conflict weakens the political authority the Kennedy family has maintained over many years.

   Mr. Kennedy makes many incorrect assertions.

   The first is this area is a navigational danger. It is a shoal, which is shallow water and is marked as such on the navigational charts.

   The second is that the fishing industry will face losses. While beautiful on the surface Mr. Kennedy ignores the perilous condition of the fisheries, largely due to incompetent state and federal fisheries management, which has allowed the depletion of fish, dwindling numbers of species, and compromised habitat. In fact, the Capewind project creates an opportunity for a marine reserve, which, would serve as a natural marine nursery seeding hundreds of square miles of adjacent area.

      These wind generators produce no pollution. The failed energy policy of The United States forces our exposure to poor air quality from electrical generators like Canal Electric in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The emissions affect the health of all people in the area and those creatures living in the air, on the land, and in the water. In addition, transportation of fuel oil to the Canal Electric facility has resulted in major oil spills. The imposition of meaningless penalties for such incidents allows business interests to consider them a cost of doing business.

  Mr. Kennedy uses data on tourism developed by the Beacon Hill Institute, known for developing positions for the special interests funding the study. Wind installations in Denmark actually increase tourism, which is directly attributable to people including wind farms in their sightseeing plan.

   The most important issue is the nation's thirst for energy will demand oil exploration and production off the coast of New England. Allowing the construction of this facility creates a strong position from which to argue against any drilling. Interestingly, there are no regulations against oil platforms in this area.

   Mr. Kennedy needs to examine the facts before staking his claim. Surely, the view of numerous oil drilling platforms would not be as pleasant as a stand of graceful wind machines. On Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 10 months ago 57 Responses